Claims that Michael Sesugh, a suspected cyber fraudster, died while in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Makurdi Zonal Directorate, Benue State, have been denied.
The corpse was discovered in a pool of blood at the Kansho axis of Markurdi immediately after a gun duel with commission operatives trying to re-arrest him, according to a press statement signed by EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Saturday.
Oyewale revealed what happened by saying, “On April 28, 2026, operational members of the Directorate detained 26 individuals suspected of being cyber fraudsters. Following the acquisition of a Remand Order from a Magistrate Court, they were subjected to profiling and detained until more investigations.
Three of the detainees requested and were granted access to the Directorate’s Holding Facility’s lavatory shortly after their arrest, on May 4, 2026. Seizing the chance, they smashed the roof of the lavatory and managed to escape from jail. Their re-arrest was unsuccessful despite multiple attempts.
On Thursday, May 21, 2026, new information surfaced suggesting that Asar Michael Sesugh, one of the fugitives, was hiding in Makurdi’s Kansho axis. Agents departed for the site. When Sesugh and his alleged cult members saw the squad, they began firing at them.
The Commission’s operations retaliated in self-defence by firing back. As a result of the gunfire between the cult members and EFCC agents, everyone, including Sesugh, ran away. But later on, someone saw Sesugh lying in a pool of his own blood beside the highway. As soon as he was carried to the Police Cottage Hospital at the Makurdi Police Headquarters, he was declared dead.
He stated that the Commission had reported the incident to the Benue State Police Headquarters in Makurdi, and that an investigation into his death had been launched, with the goal of apprehending other fugitives from the cult.
The public has also been given access to the preliminary reports of the police’s findings, he said.
“The Commission wishes to state clearly that the dead suspect did not die in custody and was not on bail at any time,” the statement stated in part.
Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of life; nonetheless, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will not tolerate any additional attacks on its Operatives or violations of its internal security. The Commission promises to keep looking out for the country’s best interests.